MANILA, Philippines — The Wrestling Association of the Philippines is pursuing its bid to naturalize Russian Igor Dimitriev with hopes that he can produce the medals in international competitions like the SEA Games, Asian Games and even the Olympics.
WAP president Alvin Aguilar said they’ve submitted the naturalization papers of the 27-year-old Dimitriev to Congress through Rep. Bong Teves and Sen. Manny Pacquiao as early as last July.
While Dimitriev, who is the second-best wrestler in Russia in the 62-kilogram division, isn’t expected to make the SEAG team late this year, he could represent the Philippines in the succeeding competitions once his application is approved.
While it remains a long shot, Dimitriev’s entry should boost the country’s Olympic chances since wrestling has already been reinstated for the 2020 and 2024 Games by the International Olympic Committee.
The Phl has already naturalized several athletes in the past, the most recent were basketball’s Marcus Douthit and Andray Blatche.
The WAP is also trying to have the sport reinstated in the SEAG calendar this year after it was scratched by the SEAG Organizing Committee for lack of approval from the Asian Wrestling Federation.